St. Louis at the Forefront of NFL Coaching Renewal

Given the National Football League’s status as the dominant spot on the American landscape, it might seem odd to consider the game in a period of renewal.

 

It’s not that the game is getting more exposure, because the league has benefited from year-round, wall-to-wall coverage for some time now.

 

And it’s not that the game has welcomed in a plethora of future Hall of Famers in recent drafts. There have been some stellar players to come out recently, but only very few who can be considered to be on the direct route to all-time greatness.

 

Rather, the major change in the NFL has occurred on the sidelines with the head coaches.

 

With the departure guys like Bill Parcells, Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy over the past few years, we’re left with just one coach in the top 20 in all time wins: Bill Belichick at No. 19 with 138.

 

The only two other active head coaches with 100 or more victories (out of 33 all-time with 100 or more) are Jeff Fisher (128) and Tom Coughlin (115), with Andy Reid knocking on the door with 97. The next closest is Norv Turner at 77.

 

To put into perspective the loss of experience on NFL sidelines, Holmgren, Shanahan, Dungy and Jon Gruden have a combined 541 career wins.

 

That’s 34 more than John Fox, Dick Jauron, Jack Del Rio, Marvin Lewis, Lovie Smith, Mike McCarthy, Jim Mora, Sean Payton, Brad Childress, Eric Mangini, Mike Tomlin, Gary Kubiak, Ken Whisenhunt, Tony Sparano, Mike Smith, John Harbaugh, Rod Marinelli, Jim Zorn, Mike Singletary, Tom Cable, Steve Spagnuolo, Josh McDaniels, Rex Ryan, Jim Schwartz, Raheem Morris, Jim Caldwell and Todd Haley … combined.

 

When the 2009 season kicks off, 13 of the league’s 32 head coaches will have been on the job for less than two years. Seven of them will be patrolling the sidelines as NFL head coaches for the first time.

 

And the turnover hasn’t been confined just to the top job. With the retirement of long-time Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore and the subsequent promotion of Clyde Christensen, there are nine offensive coordinators about to spend the first year in that position with the current team, four of them holding an NFL coordinator title for the first time in their career.

 

And on defense, the turnover has been overwhelming: 20 of the league’s 32 teams will feature new defensive coordinators in 2009, eight of them serving as NFL coordinators for the first time.

 

Perhaps nowhere has the league’s coaching youth movement been as stark as in St. Louis, which enters 2009 as the only team in the league with a first-time head coach and two first-time coordinators.

 

It’s not entirely unheard of a situation. Among the league’s current coaches, four others began their tenures as first-time head coaches with first-time coordinators: McCarthy in Green Bay, Childress in Minnesota, Payton in New Orleans and Smith in Chicago.

 

Each of those teams was in the playoffs with double-digit wins within three years of those hirings.

 

Will the same happen in St. Louis? Ask 1,000 people and chances are 990 of them will say no. But a closer look at the three men in charge of the Rams revival reveals a common philosophy and a history of success.

 

 

Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo

 

The best known of the three and a disciple of Jim Johnson’s blitzing scheme in Philadelphia, Spagnuolo’s defense wracked up 95 sacks in his two years at the helm. They put the “1” in New England’s “18-1” by harassing the hell out of Tom Brady and the greatest offense in the history of the NFL.

 

The year before Spagnuolo arrived in New York, the Giants were ranked 25th in overall defense, allowing an average of 342.4 yards per game. In Spagnuolo’s first year in 2007, the ranking went up to seventh at 305 yards per game.

 

By 2008, the Giants’ defense ranked fifth in the league in total defense and scoring defense. While St. Louis was giving up 29.1 points and 379.2 yards per game, the Giants were giving up 18.4 and 292.

Tom Coughlin, Spagnuolo’s boss with the Giants, commented on Spagnuolo’s wide variety of experience in discussing why he chose the former Eagles linebackers coach to be his new defensive coordinator in 2007.

 

“I was very impressed by his detail, his energy and his enthusiasm,” Coughlin was quoted as saying in a 2007 article on the Giants’ website. “His resume is outstanding. He’s had a lot of different football jobs. He’s been in the scouting end of it, he’s been a defensive line coach. When he first went to Philadelphia eight years ago he coached the corners and then the safeties. The last three years, he’s coached the linebackers there. He’s been with Jim Johnson and that outstanding defense for a number of years. His philosophy is an aggressive philosophy. I like his background. He’s been a coordinator at the college level. He’s been a coordinator in the World League.  He’s worked for Jack Bicknell, who is a wonderful guy and an excellent football coach. I’m very impressed and very excited to have him on board.” 

 

In an article previewing the playoff game between the Giants and Eaglesthis past January, Mike Garafalo of The Star-Ledger discussed the similarities and differences between the Johnson and Spagnuolo schemes.

 

The most basic assumption about both defenses is that Spagnuolo and Johnson are enamored by the blitz. But retired linebacker Ike Reese, who played under Johnson from the time he arrived with Reid in 1999 through 2004, said “it’s really not that way.”

 

Both will dial up the pressure, Reese said, when they smell a vulnerable offense — on third-and-long, after turnovers and following any momentum swings on the other side of the ball. The difference, though, comes where and how the teams decide to bring pressure.

 

Spagnuolo prefers to blitz up the middle more than off the edges. Johnson likes to bring his extra rushers from outside the tackles. …

 

Spagnuolo’s pressures also are often zone blitzes, meaning he’s bringing only five or six rushers with zone coverage behind them. He’ll often bring a linebacker up the middle, a cornerback from the slot and drop the defensive end on the opposite side into coverage.

 

In the same piece, Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said Spagnuolo’s innovation of stacking a defense with pass rushers has influenced not only the league, but his mentor Johnson as well.

“I think ‘Spags’ has influenced the whole league, not just the Eagles,” Pierce said. “Every team uses their best pass rushers now, regardless of whether it’s a linebacker or defensive end.”

 

Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka talked about the league’s tendency to copy Spagnuolo’s scheme after the Giants’ Super Bowl dismantling of New England.

 

“When you’re winning and you’re doing it in a great fashion, everybody’s going to notice and try to do the same thing. No sense in trying to reinvent the wheel.”

 

For Rams fans, it’ll be nice to have a guy inventing the wheel instead of a guy in Scott Linehan getting run over by it.

 

 

Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur

 

A former offensive line coach, tight ends coach and special teams coach before being promoted to the QBs coach in 2002, Shurmur has used his intelligence and demeanor to help lead Donovan McNabb to a 60 percent completion rate and plus-82 touchdown-to-interception differential over the past seven years.

 

In a 2005 interview with USA Today, Shurmur discussed some of his philosophies regarding how to handle quarterbacks and the stress that comes with the position.

 

“It’s very important with all the things quarterbacks have to do that they’re able to see it in a simple way. I try to simplify for it (McNabb). I’d like to think my simple demeanor and simple lifestyle has rubbed off on him.

 

“You want him to have some recall because there are constantly new things happening,” Shurmur said. “The other thing I try to do is remain very calm around him. It’s the way I am. It’s easy to get excited as a quarterback. You’re going to play 60, 70 plays, and every once in a while, you’re going to have a bad play. So hey, forget about it, move on and make the next play your best.”

 

Former Eagles back-up quarterback Koy Detmer told USA Today how Shurmur’s demeanor helps the quarterbacks stay grounded through the highs and lows of an NFL game.

 

“From a psychological standpoint, he does a great job of making all of us quarterbacks, particularly Donovan, relaxed about the game plan and all the different situations that could come up in a game,” Detmer said. “He doesn’t get all worked up about whether it’s good or bad. You’re going to have highs and lows. Lots of things are going on, and you’ve got to be able to stay calm.”

 

The one thing Rams fans should be aware of is that the more success Shurmur has as the Rams’ offensive coordinator, the less likely he is to hang around for the long term.

 

“I’d like to progress to the point where I can be a head football coach someday,” Shurmur told USA Today. “I’ve always believed those aren’t jobs you chase, those aren’t jobs you make phone calls about or exert influence to get. If a team owner, university president or board of trustees member looks at you and says ‘This guy has the vision to be a head coach,’ they come looking for you. That’s going to be my approach.”

 

At this point, Rams fans would be more than happy to have somebody on the staff other teams were trying to steal. It’s been a while.

 

 

Defensive Coordinator Ken Flajole

 

Flajole hasn’t exactly been a publicity maven in a career that includes posts in Green Bay, Seattle and Carolina in the NFL, and stops Pacific Lutheran, Washington, Nevada, Montana, Texas-El Paso, Missouri, Richmond and Hawaii in the college game.

 

But in a 1999 interview with the Pacific Lutheran Scene, the college paper at Pacific Lutheran University, where Flajole both played and began his career in coaching, Flajole gave some insight into the kind of mentality he likes to have with his defense.

 

“The game still has to be inherently fun for the players,” Flajole said. “If it’s not, then the money won’t be enough…Certainly we (in the pros) are judged on wins and losses, but I think players play better if they enjoy what they are doing.”

 

Another quote from Flajole in an earlier edition of the Scene discusses his thoughts on stopping Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre in a 1999 Monday Night game, while Flajole was defensive backs coach under Mike Holmgren with the Seahawks.

 

“When you’re dealing with a quarterback like Brett — a player with tremendous God-given abilities who has been around seven or eight years and knows the game inside and out — you have to give him lots of different looks and confuse him. It’s called ‘disguising your defense.’ You don’t want him to recognize the play until after the ball is snapped, so you have to make sure you can run different plays from what may look like a familiar defensive pattern. If you can make the quarterback guess — and have him be wrong — you’ll decrease his confidence and you can render him ineffective.”

 

Favre went 14-for-35 for 180 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in that game, won by Seattle 27-7. It was one of only 8 games in a 294-game career where Favre threw four or more picks.

 

With a schedule that includes Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Kurt Warner twice, and possibly even Favre himself in a Week 5 Vikings-Rams tilt at the Edward Jones Dome, the Rams have to hope Flajole can translate his experience and pedigree into on-field results.

 

 

And?

 

Resumes and pedigrees and philosophies are all well and fine, but Flajole had it dead right when he said that in the pros, the ultimate arbiter of your worth is in your won-loss record.

 

In the year prior to Sean Payton’s arrival in New Orleans, the Saints were 3-13, the second-worst record in the league. Payton, a former coordinator with the Giants, took over from Jim Haslett, just as Spagnuolo does now.

 

Payton brought with him two first-time coordinators in Doug Marrone, just hired to be the new head coach at Syracuse, and Gary Gibbs, now with the Chiefs.

 

They went 10-6, won their division and made the NFC Championship Game.

 

Just saying … crazy things happen sometimes.

2009 Denver Broncos: A Season of Question Marks

The upcoming 2009 season is one full of question marks for the Denver Broncos.

A new coaching staff and a new quarterback were the big headlines in the offseason for the orange and blue, but revamping the defense remains one of the biggest priorities.

That said, there are just too many of these question marks to have high expectations for the season.

Despite what should be a weak division, the non-divisional schedule is extremely tough with home games against Dallas, Pittsburgh, New England, and the NY Giants, and road games versus Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis.

Would a 6-10 season be a huge disappointment for the Broncos this year? Definitely, especially considering they have only had one season that poor once since 1990, but that may be a realistic goal considering the caliber of opponents they face.

However, that 6-10 could easily turn into 10-6 and a division title, if a few quesions are answered.

Is Kyle Orton is the right man for Josh McDaniels’ offensive system?

Much has been made of the Jay Cuter-Josh McDaniels feud in the offseason that ultimately left the Pro-Bowl quarterback in Chicago and the Broncos with a gaping hole at the position.

McDaniels said Orton was the guy he wanted and was the key to the Broncos dealing Cutler to Chicago. McDaniels seems to think he can take quarterbacks toiling in mediocrity and turn them into something special—Matt Cassel, for example.

If Orton can handle the offense, find Brandon Marshall down the field, and manage the game to keep the suspect defense off of the field, look for the Broncos to win at least eight games, if not more.

Can the defense improve over a disastrous 2008 season?

This is the biggest question heading into the 2009 season. The 2008 Broncos defense was one of the worst in team history and cost the team several games during the season.

The system is new, as are many of the players. Gone are starters Nate Webster, Ebenezer Ekuban, John Engelberger, Dre Bly, Marquand Manuel, and Marlon McCree. In is a host of new faces that the Broncos hope can help them adapt to the 3-4 system.

They are hoping that new arrivals Brian Dawkins, Andra Davis, and Renaldo Hill, along with 2009 draft picks Robert Ayers and Alphonso Smith, can revamp a group that struggled to stop teams in almost every game in 2008.

If these guys can step up, provide leadership and improve the pass rush, the Broncos could be a formidable team in 2009 and the win total could eclipse 10.

Is Knowshon Moreno a stud?

The Broncos came under heavy scrutiny by drafting Moreno No. 12 overall out of Georgia when many were expecting the Broncos to select a defensive player.

If Moreno is the player the Broncos are hoping for, which is a three-down back that can rush on first and second down and catch passes and pick up the blitz on third down, then that will shut up the naysayers who slammed the Broncos for not going defense with their first pick.

If Moreno is a stud, then the Broncos have a franchise back that helps control the clock and wears down defenses, as well as makes some big plays in the pass game.

If the answers to all of these questions is yes, or even two of the three, the Broncos could be looking at 8-8, 9-7 or even 11-5.

But if they’re all no, well…6-10 may be optimistic.

 

Scott Linehan Looks to Bring Offensive Success to Detroit Lions

A common misconception among NFL fans is that there is a merit-based system for hiring and firing coaches. That just isn’t the case. The NFL is a system based on sheer nepotism. It’s an old boy’s club.

Another misconception is that the best offensive and defensive coordinators are destined to be great head coaches.

Scott Linehan comes to Detroit with a career coaching record of 11-25. Fired near the beginning of the 2008 season, he was hot commodity among NFL teams looking for a new offensive coordinator, and was hotly rumored to be pursuing the 49ers job.

Linehan was never cut out to be a head coach. As a coordinator, Linehan has always been a players’ coach. He is fiercely loyal to former players and assistants. As a head coach, he demanded that loyalty. When he didn’t get it from guys like Mark Bulger and Steven Jackson as a head coach, he bristled.

Moreover, something has to be said about different kinds of football genius. Mike Martz, Cam Cameron, Herm Edwards; all these men failed at head coaching even though they are stellar coaches.

Scott Linehan is a stellar coach. When he coached with the Minnesota Vikings, his teams never finished outside the top 10 offenses in the NFL. In Miami, he pieced together a 16th ranked offense with Gus Frerotte at the helm.

Linehan comes to Detroit with an amazing resume and a connection in the old boy’s club. His success in Miami was under head coach Nick Saban, a good friend of Lions’ coach, Jim Schwartz.

However, the reason Scott Linehan will either succeed or fail in Detroit is dependant not on the reason he was hired, but rather, the tools he is given.

In 2002, Linehan had use of Daunte Culpepper, Michael Bennett and Randy Moss.

In 2009, the offense will consist of Daunte Culpepper, Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson.

Linehan employs a vertical passing game—perfect for the strengths of the current Lions’ roster. Randy Moss was already a superstar, but he refined his game under Linehan while succeeding in the post-Cris Carter era.

New tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Will Heller will benefit from Linehan’s work as well. Linehan likes to employ two tight end sets—keeping the field compact, forcing defenses to single cover wideouts.

Kevin Smith should also look to improve. Michael Bennett and Steven Jackson had career years under Linehan.

The Linehan system is simple, perfect for grooming a rookie QB with a big arm. However, it also leaves little room for error. Linehan will look to bring Stafford along at a measured pace. When Stafford shows he can handle 100 percent of the offensive playbook without the rookie jitters, he will start.

So what can Lions’ fans expect? Realistically, expect a top-15 offense in 2009 with possibilities of top-10 in 2010.

The Lions have a lot of work to do, but fans should keep a close eye on offensive success. If Linehan fails, it could be a mark that business is usual in Allen Park—rewarding loyalty over merit. But don’t count him out yet.

Linehan has always been a success as an offensive coordinator. Fully expect him to add Detroit to his list of triumphs.

Ten Questions for Visanthe Shiancoe of the Minnesota Vikings

Just call Visanthe Shiancoe a late bloomer.

The 91st overall pick of the 2003 draft spent four years in obscurity as a Giants reserve. Even after Shiancoe found a role with the Vikings in 2007, even the most dedicated of gridiron enthusiasts would’ve been hard-pressed to identify the tight end walking down the street—let alone justify the five-year, $18.2 million dollar deal ($7 million guaranteed) that Minnesota sent his way.

Since then, however, the Vikings’ investment in Shiancoe has yielded considerable returns. He posted his most productive season in the league in the first year of the deal, and started knocking on the door of the upper echelon of NFL tight ends in the second.

What makes Shiancoe’s motor run on the field? What keeps him busy away from the game? And what else do Vikings fans need to know to understand the man behind No. 81?

Donald Driver: More Than a Game

The Detroit Lions’ Inevitable Quarterback Controversy

Daunte Culpepper is the incumbent starter. Matthew Stafford is the highly rated, overpaid, and knock-on-wood, savior of the Detroit Lions franchise.

Yet, the roles of these two quarterbacks in 2009 are far from decided.

Ideally, the Lions would like to use Culpepper as a “bridge” to Stafford and the team’s future, as said publicity by new head coach Jim Schwartz. But patience is low and pressure is high in Detroit.

Fans are angry in the Motor City. Lovable losers the Lions are not. Not after a 0-16 season, not after 50 years of futility. The Lions need results, or at the very least, to create excitement.

Early word out of Detroit is that Culpepper looks great in mini-camp. The veteran himself told The Detroit Free Press that he is in “the best shape of my career since the 2004 season.”

But, looking good throwing post-routes in gym shorts is far different from performing on Sundays.

Culpepper has reportedly lost close to 40 pounds, formed good chemistry with star wide receiver Calvin Johnson, and is excited about being reunited with former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.

But is that enough to secure him the starting job?

Not yet.

If Stafford out-performs Culpepper in training camp and the preseason, keeping the rookie on the bench will be near impossible.

Furthermore, even if the Lions opt to protect Stafford and go with Culpepper as the starter, how will Coach Schwartz justify the move if the team starts 0-4, or 1-6?

Both Stafford and Culpepper are saying all the right things now – talking about accepting their roles and doing what’s best for the team. But the competition between the two is already underway.

Stafford heard the boos on draft day. Culpepper remembers the failures of his comeback last season, and his previous stint in Oakland. Both players expect to start, and neither will be content with a reserve role.

The quarterback situation in Detroit is a true toss up, and will serve as the first major decision for Schwartz in his head coaching career.

History has offered conflicting results to the rookie/veteran quarterback dilemma.

In the case of Carson Palmer, sitting a year on the bench behind former Lion Jon Kitna paid great dividends. Cincinnati remained competitive, although missed the playoffs, and Palmer took over the following year and played great. He has since developed into a Pro Bowl quarterback.

On the contrary, there is last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan. Ryan started from day one in Atlanta and led the Falcons to an improbable NFC South division title. His career started off with a bang when he, coincidentally, posted a 137 quarterback rating in a season-opening win over Detroit.

Either scenario would be suitable for the Lions.

What Detroit cannot afford is option C, a failure on both counts.

As Schwartz said in his introductory press conference with the Lions, “It’s about time we found a replacement for Bobby Lane.”

Dennis Northcutt: Torry Holt’s Likely Sidekick

“A receiver, a receiver, my kingdom for a receiver!”

(Wow, Shakespeare really IS still relevant today!)

I’m sure Wayne Weaver has uttered some variation of this phrase hundreds of times since Keenan and Jimmy left Jacksonville. There has been a revolving door of free agent busts and disappointing draft picks at the wide receiver position.

Jaguar coaches and fans probably thought there was light at the end of the receiver tunnel in 2007 and 2008, when Reggie Williams and Matt Jones finally showed some consistent production.

Williams, more known for his mouth and his antics than his ability, led the team with 629 receiving yards and a franchise-record 10 touchdown receptions (I couldn’t believe it was the franchise record, either) in 2007.

Last year, the troubled, aloof and lazy Jones had a career year with 65 receptions and 761 yards. He posted those numbers despite not playing in four games.

But Tweedledum and Tweedledumber couldn’t stay out of trouble (I was thinking about writing that they couldn’t keep their noses clean, but that’s a low blow), and both troubled receivers were jettisoned by the team this offseason.

Regardless of what free agent acquisition Torry Holt brings to the team in terms of production, I love the signing. Here is a guy who is a consummate professional, has never been in trouble and has a Super Bowl ring.

Not only can he still play at a high level, but he can also mentor the younger receivers so they don’t fellow in the footsteps of their wayward predecessors.

From a football standpoint, the question is who will step up and become the No. 2 receiver. I’ve heard some people say that Holt is no longer a No. 1 caliber guy. That might be true, but if those people knew anything about the Jaguars, they’d understand that Holt is Jacksonville’s No. 1 option at WR.

While there are a number of candidates to fill the role, my sizable gut tells me that Dennis Northcutt will re-emerge and grab the spot.

As I typed that last sentence, I almost heard a collective moan and groan from the Jacksonville faithful. I know a lot of fans are still a little upset with Northcutt after his crucial drop in the playoff game against New England about 16 months ago.

To those fans, I can only say two things. First, yes, he did drop that pass, but he did not allow Tom Brady to go 26-for-28. That was the defense’s fault, and that is what lost Jacksonville that game.

Secondly, I know the drop came in a critical situation. But this is no secret to anyone who has followed Northcutt’s career. He has a tendency to drop passes. That was the case in Cleveland, and that was still the case when he came to Jacksonville.

Northcutt will drop some passes that will make fans cringe, but he is a solid NFL wide receiver. In his first year with the Jags, he had 601 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Last year, I got the sense that Northcutt was firmly buried at the bottom of Jack Del Rio’s doghouse when the season began. There were so many games early on when I’d look on the field and think, “Where’s Northcutt?”

As the season progressed and none of the receivers (besides Jones) had any real production, Jacksonville went back to Northcutt and he thrived. In the first six games of the season, he only caught eight passes. But he finished with 44 receptions and had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games against Green Bay and Indianapolis.

When it comes to the No. 2 receiver position, Dennis Northcutt is clearly the most qualified man for the job. I believe he and Holt can make a pretty formidable duo, especially if the running game gets on track.

Can Matt Cassel Save the Kansas City Chiefs?

A lot will fall on the shoulders for a guy who hadn’t started a single game since high school, then last season was thrown into the fire for the New England Patriots, in the place of Pats great Tom Brady.

Now he is thrown back into the fire. This time for a team with less accolades, much less, than his previous one.

The question is, will Cassel help the Chiefs return to greatness? Send them back to the postseason? Can he help them win more than three or four games?

A year ago, Cassell helped the New England Patriots to a 10-6 record, which wasn’t good enough to make the playoffs. The Patriots and it’s faithful saw it’s hero, it’s quarterback, the best player in the NFL, go down in week one against none other, the Kansas City Chiefs.

As Brady was taken off the field, Patriots head man Bill Belichick had only one man to go to.

That man was Matt Cassel.

Prior to the 2008 NFL season, Cassell’s glory were way behind him. They were still at Chatsworth High School, in California. Cassell was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school.

ESPN had him ranked as the eighth best quarterback, and the 53rd overall ranked player in the country during his senior year. Cassel had many college offers, but decided to commit to the University of Southern California prior to his senior year of high school.

Cassel spent his entire, that means all four years, as a backup to Heisman trophy winners Carson Palmer, and Matt Leinart.

Cassel actually was in the running for the starting spot in 2001, but would eventually lose it to Leinart. This resulted in the QB to take time at tight end and wide out. He also had a start at half back for the Trojans.

That would be his only start in his college football career. Cassell also played some baseball while at Southern Cal. He was a 36th round draft pick by the Oakland A’s.

In his four years at USC, Cassel completed 19 of 33 passes for 192 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.

So the question that came to me a few years ago once I heard about Cassell, how in the world was he even drafted out of USC?

The Patriots took Cassel at the 230th overall pick, in the seventh round.

Cassel spent 2005-2007 as Tom Brady’s back up man. He saw limited snaps in those seasons, but he never gave up. Cassel practiced hard, and earned the respect of all of his teammates. Through 2007 Cassel had saw action in 14 games. His production wasn’t bad for 14 games, he was 22 for 39, with 253 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 picks.

Cassel always prepared himself well, but I don’t believe even he was prepared for the 2008 season.

As we all know, Brady goes down in week one, Cassel is called upon. In the Week One victory over Kansas City, Cassell actually played pretty well. He completed 13 of 18 passes for 152 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions.

Patriot fans were very worried about starting a guy who had saw limited time not only in the NFL, but also in college. Head coach Bill Belichick seemed to be the only man, besides the Patriots players, to have confidence in his quarterback.

Many believed the Pats front office would cut a deal to ship out Cassel and some others to get a legit NFL quarterback to fill in until Brady was healthy for 2009. It didn’t work out that way. Cassel stayed in New England, and what a good choice it was for him to do that.

He may not have took the Patriots to the playoffs and to another Super Bowl appearance, but his play was something very special from the 2008 NFL season.

Cassel completed 327 of his 516 passes for 3,693 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In my eyes, Cassel deserved the MVP award for the 2008 season. How could he not? A career backup man from his college days up until last season, look at his numbers, and his team had a 10-6 record.

Many thought the Patriots would either cut a deal for Cassel in the years offseason, or re-sign him to continue to backup Tom Brady. The deal was cut, shipping Matt and Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 34th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

A move some Patriot fans were questioning, and a move Kansas City fans, like myself, are loving.

The big question is, can Cassell come in, help the Chiefs get back to the top, back to competing, and back to winning games?

I believe he can.

He will have some solid targets to throw too. He will lose to big play ability of the former Chiefs great tight end Tony Gonzalez, but he will still have the solid play of Dwayne Bowe, Bobby Engram, and Mark Bradley. He will also be able to give hand offs to one of the NFL’s top running backs, Larry Johnson.

The Chiefs’ O-line should be able to protect Cassel, or at least I hope so. His targets should be enough to get him over 3,500 passing yards, and 22 touchdowns. I hope he can stay under 10 interceptions for the year.

Cassel will be a key player for the Chiefs in 2009. They will need his play dearly, especially after coming off the horrific 3-13 season of 2008. I truly believe he can step in and help this team win. He could use some more targets, but I see a 7-9 finish for the Chiefs in 2009. Not great, but much better than 2008.

As Cassel grows in KC, I look for him to continue to get better, and better. I also look for the Chiefs to get better and better with Cassel under center.

Look out for Kansas City in ’09, they could be the surprise team of the year.

NFL Coaches Who Are On the Hot Seat In 2009

This past offseason has had one of the biggest coaching turn arounds in recent history, and it could be bi passed next year. There are several coaches who are on the hot seat this season, and the only thing that can save their jobs is to go to the playoffs, or for the team to show improvement. Lets go over the coaches who i believe are on the hot seat this coming season, and if they will save their jobs

The Philadelphia Eagles: Birds Reloaded for Championship Run

As usual, the Philadelphia Eagles enter the season as serious title contenders but, as usual, they will have to overcome themselves if they hope to shed the “contender” label and adopt the “champion” tag.

Although the team lost mainstays, such as Brian Dawkins and Tra Thomas to free agency, their offseason acquisitions have strengthened the roster.  The acquisition of Jason Peters gives the Eagles arguably the leagues best tackle.  The signing of Stacy Andrews will not only give the team one of the leagues fiercest offensive lines, but also assist in the mental stability of his brother, Shawn Andrews. 

Add to that the signing of Leonard Weaver (Andy signed a real fullback!) and the draft day additions of Jeremy Maclin, LeSean  McCoy, and Cornelius Ingram, and Donovan has to be happy.   

The defense returns almost the entire starting cast, minus Dawkins.  Sean Jones was brought in to provide insurance for young safety Quentin Demps, and Ellis Hobbs was acquired via a draft-day trade to battle with Sheldon Brown.

Organizational disharmony has become status quo for this franchise, and 2009 looks to be no different.  From the Terrell Owens saga to the Lito Sheppard drama, the Eagles never lack disgruntled employees.  Sheldon Brown, the new leading man in the unhappy camper category, plays an important role this year. 

Expected to become a leader for this defense after the offseason loss of Brian Dawkins,  Brown has expressed displeasure with his contract and requested a trade.  The Eagles, in a way only they can, not only publicly denied his request but also accused Brown of devaluing himself, while they were willing to explore trade opportunities.

How the Eagles play their hand, here, is very important.  Brown has the potential to divide that locker room, which is something that can hinder any championship run.  He has already drug the names of Trent Cole and Mike Patterson into his public spat with Eagles President Joe Banner. 

Brown is no superstar, but he is a dependable and hard-hitting cornerback who has never missed a game in his career.  Still, the Eagles would be wise to explore all avenues considering last season’s Lito Sheppard experiment.  A solid corner with a bad attitude does the team no good buried on the depth chart.

The other issue Andy Reid faces resides in the mirror.  Reid’s stubbornness regarding the run becomes predictable, placing too much pressure on McNabb.  The team cannot be successful throwing the ball 40 times each and every week.

It’s inevitable that, at some point, Brian Westbrook will be injured.  The addition of McCoy allows the Eagles to run many of the same plays and formations, as McCoy serves as a “mini-Westbrook.”  Again, that all hinges on Andy Reid’s mammoth…ego (were you expecting something else?).

Many people believe that Correll Buckhalter was grossly underutilized last season. 

The Birds are a legitimate title contender, just check Asante Samuel’s twitter account.  If Sheldon Brown can put the team first, and Andy Reid can be reminded that running the ball is legal as well as successfully petition Mr. Goodell to skip the conference championship game, you can book Philadelphia in Super Bowl XLIV.

 

 

 

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